Garment bag



July 24, 1951 5, (:ART 2,561,841

GARMENT BAC Filed April 13, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 13. 1950 7 July 24, 1951 s, A T 2,561,841

GARMENT BAG 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 NV NTOR ELY ATTORNEY Patented July 24, 1951 GARMENT BAG Theodore S. Cart, Harbourton, N. J., assignor to Atlantic Products Corporation, Trenton, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 13, 1950, Serial No. 155,715

1 Claim.

This invention relates to garment bags. and pertains particularly to a bag adapted to the requirements and convenience of motor travel.

In present day motor travel, motorists are increasingly in the habit of carrying garments in cars without packing them in pieces of luggage. This trend is now so well recognized that automobile manufacturers are placing hooks within cars on which garment hangers may be supported. The habit is encouraged by the fact that garments hanging freely do not become creased or mussed from packing. It is discouraged by the fact that such garments frequently become soiled or dusty, and by the inconvenience of carrying loose garments even for short distances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a. garment bag adapted to the requirements of motor travel in providing means for supporting several garments on customary hangers so that several garments may be supported or carried as a unit. Means are provided for supporting the bag in the car and for carrying it by hand to and from the car. Means are also provided for enclosing the garments to protect them from dust and dirt. The latter, most importantly, neither supports the garments nor is supported thereby. It is a mere envelope surrounding and enclosing the garments. It is draped loosely over a supporting frame and is not subjected to garment carrying strain either when the bag is hanging in the car or when it is being carried by hand.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a garment bag which may easily by disassembled and packed in a small space when not in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter. we

A preferred embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the garment bag.

Figure 2 is a composite perspective view of the constituent parts of the bag disassembled and folded for packing, including a packing case.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the supporting frame, unfolded for use.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the supporting frame folded for packing.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of. the center portion of the top panel.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 3, a substantially rigid, rectangular frame 0 is provided having a length somewhat in excess of the length of ordinary garment hangers and having a width sufficient to accommodate several garment hangers. Said frame is preferably made of relatively stiff wire. Extending transversely across the frame midway of its length is a supporting member 2 adapted to receive and support garment hangers 3. In the embodiment illustrated the said transverse supporting member comprises a straight piece of wire 2a, secured at its ends to the frame proper, and a bent piece of wire 2b welded to 2d so that the two cor prise a unitary member. The member 21) is provided with a U-shaped bend 2c midway of its length, and the legs of the U are welded to 2a. The ends 2d of the member ID are also bent at right angles and are welded to Zn. In this manner two separate supporting sections 2e are provided for supporting garment hangers, thus limiting the transverse movement thereof.

Means are provided for hanging the bag in the car and for carrying the bag when desired. Both means are attached directly to the frame so that the weight of the garments is carried directly by the frame. For supporting the bag in the car a hook 4 is attached to the U portion of the transverse member. For carrying the bag, a pair of spaced brackets 5 are provided, pivotally mounted on the transverse member near the ends thereof. A handle 6 spanning the spaced brackets is attached thereto, preferably by means of snap hooks I so that the handle may be attached or detached, as desired.

In the embodiment illustrated, the frame I comprises two sections hingedly attached to the transverse member so that the frame may be folded, as shown in Figure 4, for convenient packing. The brackets 5 serve as limit stops to hold the frame in the position shown in Figure 3.

An envelope 8 is provided to enclose and protect garments supported within the bag. As shown, the envelope is merely draped loosely over the frame. the top panel 9 of the envelope conforming to the rectangular shape of the frame. The top panel is provided with an aperture Ill through which the supporting book 4 may extend, and is also provided with spaced apertures H through which the brackets 5 may extend.

The envelope may be of any desired size, shape or conformation, preferably rectangular, as shown, and may be provided with suitable openings I2, I 3, preferably closed by slide fasteners. to afford access to the interior.

Figure 2 illustrates the manner in which the bag may be disassembled, folded and packed when not in use. After detaching the handle from the brackets. the frame is easily removable from the envelope since it is not attached thereto. The

"frame may then be folded, as shown, the envelope may be folded, and all of the parts may be stowed in a small bag M.

It will be understood that the invention may be variously modified and embodied within the scope of the subjoined claim.

I claim as my invention:

A garment bag comprising a substantially rigid supporting frame, said frame being rectangular in shape and having a transverse member extending across said frame midway between the ends thereof and providing means for supporting garment hangers, a supporting hook attached to said transverse member, a pair of spaced brackets attached directly to said frame and projecting upwardly therefrom, a handle spanning said spaced brackets and attached thereto, and an envelope draped over said frame and han ing loosely thereon, said envelope having a top panel 1 conforming to the shape of said frame, said panel having an aperture through which said hook may extend, and having a pair of spaced openings through which said upwardly projecting bracinets may extend.

THEODORE B. CART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

